Chapter 7
True Power
Aeris decided to tag along with Shiro for lunch. The academy was so massive it even had its own indoor mall, packed with shops, cafés, and food stalls nestled under towering ceilings of glass and steel.
Both wore their academy uniforms. Shiro's dark brown curls bounced slightly as he walked, and his brown eyes wandered the mall in awe. Beside him, Aeris walked with calm grace. Her glowing blue hair shimmered faintly in the light, and her pale yellow eyes sparkled like twin stars.
They stopped in front of a cozy café painted a soft pastel green. It had a white door with a small round window, and two large windows on either side that gave a clear view of the warm interior. Above the entrance, a wooden sign read: Nick's Donuts.
Inside, the scent of roasted coffee and fresh dough filled the air. The floors were polished oak, and the café buzzed with the energy of overworked baristas sprinting between blaring machines and handwritten orders.
Shiro and Aeris found a quiet corner and sat across from each other at a wooden table. After ordering coffee and pastries, they relaxed. Aeris tilted her head, studying Shiro's hair with curiosity.
"When did you dye your hair red?" she asked, squinting a little.
Shiro blinked. "Red? I didn't what?"
She pulled out her phone, snapped a picture, and showed it to him. The photo clearly showed the tips of his curls glowing faintly red.
Shiro stared at the image. "I… don't know why it looks like that."
"It fits you," Aeris said, voice soft. "Don't change it."
Shiro frowned, unsettled. Something strange was happening to him, and he had no explanation. No memories. No control. Just more questions.
Still chewing on a pastry, he barely noticed Aeris watching him.
"You getting ready for the tournament?" she asked.
Shiro paused mid-bite. "Tournament?"
Aeris sighed, exasperated. "How do you not know about this? It starts in a few days. Every win earns points and pushes you up the rankings. You're near the bottom. If you want to stay in the academy, you have to win."
That got his attention. Shiro nodded slowly, now chewing with purpose.
Elsewhere on a high balcony
Aurelia stood with her arms crossed, golden hair dancing in the wind. Her white eyes gleamed like cold moonlight. She stared into the distance, deep in thought.
Behind her stood a maid in a dark uniform, head bowed.
"Have you found anything on Shiro?" Aurelia asked, voice sharp.
The maid responded without raising her gaze. "He has no legacy. His sister, Marigold, is one of the academy's professors. His parents disappeared shortly after becoming conduits."
"They became conduits?" Aurelia's expression shifted slightly, intrigued. "Impressive… What else?"
"His god-granted ability is bubble manipulation. He passed the Foreseeing Past Trial, but just barely. He's been accepted into the academy, but aside from decent combat IQ and physical strength, he's considered weak. If you fought him again, and used your power he wouldn't survive."
Aurelia turned away. "I figured as much."
Still… the thought of him being hurt during the tournament stirred something in her. It wasn't pity. But it wasn't nothing, either.
Later in the training zone
Aurelia entered the combat hall, now dressed in her sleek training uniform. She carried a slender rapier by her side, its silver hilt gleaming with runes.
Waiting for her was a towering man Hale. He had long pale green hair, half-tied in a low ponytail, and black eyes that gleamed like obsidian. His muscles stretched against his compression shirt, and in his hand, he held a massive black greatsword.
"Ready, Hale?" Aurelia called out.
Hale grinned wide. Compared to him, she looked small and fragile.
Aurelia took her stance and began the countdown. "Three… two… one… go."
Neither moved at first.
Then, with a flick of her hand, Aurelia summoned a burst of chaotic yellow sparks. Lightning coiled around her fingers, growing louder, brighter until she launched a bolt straight at Hale.
He raised his sword, his arm swelling with muscle as he caught the bolt mid-air. The shockwave cracked the ground beneath his feet and left the air humming.
Without hesitation, Aurelia dashed to his side. Her rapier shot toward his ribs but bent uselessly against his skin.
Her eyes widened. That was unexpected.
Hale grinned wider.
Without a word, she vanished transformed into pure lightning and reappeared several meters away. Now gripping her rapier with both hands, she began to channel more power into the blade, causing it to spark and hum with volatile energy.
Hale noticed.
He crouched low, legs tensing. The floor beneath him cracked again as he launched himself like a cannonball, greatsword raised high.
Aurelia was ready.
She ducked under the swing and drove her rapier forward straight into his stomach. Hale gasped as momentum carried him past her. Blood stained the ground.
Enraged, he sprang to his feet and charged again. But this time, Aurelia stayed calm.
As he swung, she intercepted with another bolt of lightning. It struck his weapon, slowing it just enough for her to slip past and cut deep across his shoulder.
Hale roared, swinging wildly with a fist. She deflected it, slashed again this time across his chest.
Blood sprayed.
Breathing hard, Hale dropped to his knees. His weapon clattered to the ground. He clutched his wounds, trembling.
When Aurelia placed the cold edge of her rapier against his neck, he surrendered.
She stepped back, flicked the blood from her blade, and sheathed it. Without a word, she left him kneeling in silence.
Later on campus
As she returned to the dorms, Aurelia noticed someone running across the courtyard.
Shiro.
He sprinted past, sweat soaking through his shirt, brow furrowed in concentration. Intrigued, Aurelia picked up her pace and caught up.
Shiro jumped slightly when he saw her beside him.
"When did you get here?" he asked, still jogging.
"What are you doing?" she replied.
"Training for the tournament," he said between breaths. He looked exhausted but determined.
Aurelia glanced at him with a strange mix of amusement and concern. He's not going to last long, she thought.
But then again… something about him felt different.
And something about her wasn't ready to walk away.